The team-talk in the Nashua Cape Cobras prior to the final league game in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge against the Chevrolet Warriors was about being ruthless. The Cobras were true to their word, thanks to the “presence of the world’s best players who lifted the spirits of the rest of the squad by 50 %,” said Mthokozisi Shezi.

The rampant Cape Cobras powered to a 9-wicket win against the Warriors at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday.

The Cape franchise won eight out of ten league matches. They have retained the momentum ahead of the home-final on Friday 12th December at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

Richard Levi became the leading run-scorer in the domestic T20-showpiece on Wednesday by moving past Henry Davids.

The hard-hitting right-hander has struck 391 runs in the domestic T20-competition.

His strike-rate of 143.22 and his boundary count of 37 boundaries and 20 sixes make pleasant reading if you’re a Cape Cobras supporter.

“Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla, the world’s best players, lifted the spirits of the rest of the squad,” said Shezi, opening bowler of the Cobras.

“The Warriors were sceptical at attacking against Dale. They blocked against him and tried to go after the rest of us,” he added.

“In the team-talk, it was all about being ruthless and on gathering momentum ahead of the home-final,” said Shezi.

He was full of praise for the efforts of the spinners throughout the campaign.

The skipper, Justin Ontong, was able to post fielders at short leg, at silly point and at slip because the spinners were so skillful.

“It is very unusual to see such close fielders in T20-cricket,” he added.

Shezi was not at his best in the T20-match against the Chevrolet Knights on Sunday, conceding one for 43. He bounced back against the Warriors on Wednesday.

The skillful seam bowler took one for 19 in three overs as an impressive part of the support cast to Steyn, who captured one for 19 in four overs.

Dane Paterson (one for 23 in four overs) also made his presence felt.

“You can take things for granted. I tried to focus more on my skills against the Warriors. Maybe I tried too many things at the end, so it could have been better,” said Shezi.

The 27-year old Shezi has taken eight wickets in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge at an economy-rate of 7.13 and at an average of 25.87.